(dpa/TBI Africa.com) A maritime clash between Russia’s coastguard and Ukrainian naval vessels is the subject of a trial that started on Friday at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Hamburg.
The incident, which has triggered U.S. and EU sanctions against Russian officials, occurred in November 2018 in the Kerch Straits, which links the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
Russia’s coastguard opened fire on and captured three Ukrainian naval vessels and 24 crew members.
Tensions have been high in the region since Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
Kiev demands that Moscow frees the crew members and releases the three ships.
Russia has charged that Ukraine committed a border violation.
The first day of the trial on Friday was devoted to Ukraine’s arguments.
The judges are expected to rule on the case before the end of May.
Russia is not taking part in the trial as the country is of the opinion that the court does not have jurisdiction over its military activities.
